Medway Council reveals 2012-13 budget
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by
Alan McGuinness
Funding to groups that provide services
for some of the most vulnerable people in Medway could be cut by
half as the council balances its books.
The Supporting People budget, which is used to
give money to organisations like mhs homes and Medway Cyrenians,
will be reduced from £4.6 million to £2.6 million, under plans to
get a £6.2 million deficit under control.
As part of the council’s budget for 2012/2013
council tax will be frozen for another year, but car parking
charges will go up by 10p.
A review of the council’s special educational
needs transport scheme, which in some cases pays for taxis to take
children to school, will look at all journeys over £40 to see if
any savings can be made. This is expected to save £900,000.
A three year pay freeze for council staff will
save £1.6 million.
Deputy Leader Cllr Alan Jarrett (Con) said the
council will continue to maintain “vital frontline services”
despite a reduction in funding from the government.
He said the changes to the supporting people
budget were aimed at ensuring money was being used effectively. The
money is used to fund services like homeless hostels and debt
counselling.
Cllr Jarrett admitted traders would not like
the increase in parking charges, but said he did not think it would
put people off going to town centres in Medway.
For the full story see Friday’s Medway
Messenger.
Wednesday, February 08 2012
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